Saturday, February 2, 2013

Hi There! Happy day! Saturday's make me happy. My 6 yr old doesn't have school and my hubby doesn't have work and we usually lounge around for some part of the day in our most comfy clothes before deciding what we need to accomplish on this day. I love to hold the little people and my best friend close all morning! This weekend is particularly different because we plan to host a Super Bowl Party this Sunday! What were we thinking?? Well, I welcome a reason to get my house clean, let's look at this way. And I also welcome a chance to apply my love of cooking to wow the mouths of those who come through the door. Who knows how tomorrow will turn out (meaning whether they get home-cooked goodness or something super easy from the frozen section) but for you, I would love to round up my recipes to give you some ideas and inspiration! These recipes I've collected, by the way, are surprising easy and fairly inexpensive to make! I really hope you enjoy! Here's the Order.Desserts: Rum Cakes, Vanilla Creme Brulee, Heath Toffee Caramel CheesecakeAppetizers:Black Bean and Corn Salsa, Kickin Cornbread BitesDrinks: Citrus Mint Goodness DrinkMain Dishes: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, Gma's Chicken Casserole, No-Fail Applesauce Meatballs

Rum Cakes(Gluten-Free or regular)
These little cakes are actually my friend Sarah's recipe, but the original post was my highest grossing for number of hits, so I don't think I need to beg you to believe me that these Rum Cakes are Uh-Mazing! Try 'em!Find the Rum Cakes Recipe here!

I cannot express enough just how easy this was to make for a crowd of people. The issue lies in whether you have enough dishes for the crowd, because each person will need their own ramekin type of dish. So delicious and so simple!

You can make up this supreme casserole, which I'm sure will surpass any chicken casserole out there, the night before to get the flavors to fully mix together. Never had a complaint from this old family recipe!

Another family recipe, and by saying "no-fail" I mean no-fail. These little balls of tender meat and delicate tomato sauce never fail to be a success. Even freeze them for later and the outstanding taste and tenderness still remains.

Whew! That concludes our Super Bowl Recipe round up. Guess it's time to get back to the kitchen and start creating some new classics to round up for next year's Super Bowl Party. Have a great weekend friends!

Friday, February 1, 2013

I love February! Maybe it's that to me, it's like the start of the year because January is spent getting my head on straight and recovering from holidays and school breaks.Maybe it's because no matter what sense of style you have red and pink go together during this month!Maybe it's because no matter how feminine you are, hearts are cool and expected!Maybe it's because it is a month to indulge in sweet nothings for the sake of showering love on those around you!

Yay, it's February! There are great things in store this month!

I wanted to share with you the easiest recipe ever to start showing your people love...my little people call these cupcakes Surprise Cupcakes because a little something extra is on the inside. It goes with our overall household theme of spies and secret agents which are what my kids claim to be each and every day. The little people here tried to coin the phrase Spy Cupcakes, but we thought Surprise might fit better since everyone knows how secret and sneaky spies are, and as soon you take your first bite, this secret is blown!

Easy Peasy Surprise Cupcakes!There is nothing better than a sweet and exciting treat that is easy to make, easy to remember, and you might just have everything you need just sittin' in your pantry. No really, go take a look!

Directions:1.Make and bake cake mix by following directions on box, follow the cupcake instructions.2.With a sharp knife cut a round hole in the top of your cupcake. You want this cut out to go down far but not all the way to the bottom.

3.Fill center full of frosting.

4. Cut the bottom part off of the center piece you cut off so you just have a top piece to put on top of your frosting.

5.Place the top on the cupcake try to line it up as best you can.

6.Now frost that puppy and sprinkle with delight! * No need to have cake decorating utensils on hand, just plastic baggies stuffed with frosting and the tiny tip of the corner cut off.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Well, as great as October was, I had a hard time keeping up with the pumpkin theme. Truth be told, my heart runs much deeper than pumpkin and I had a hard time making pumpkin deep, there are somethings that are just meant to be light and fun!

Today, we interrupt our usually scheduled Foodie Friday for some deep thoughts because I've been deprived. But don't worry, I will be posting appetizer ideas next week along with side dishes. I want to make sure you have lots of ideas for holiday meal planning! :)

Friday, October 12, 2012

I've had the luxury of testing this tried and true crowd pleaser out on at least 3 occasions to three separate crowds and each time I get the same reaction "Amazing!" "Can't get enough!" This recipe was featured in the 2009 Holiday issue of Delight Gluten Free Magazine.

It's my recipe, and my buddy Justina Dean was the photographer.

A fairly easy recipe, just takes a little extra time. So it's best to make ahead of time with it's 30 minutes of fridge time, then it's 4 hours of fridge time, and then finally letting it chill in your freezer overnight. But it is SO worth it! You will not be disappointed.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Why not combine the beautiful luminous stringed lights that we put everywhere for Christmas into your Fall and Halloween decorating. I found this idea on Vida De Garota's blog, and I'm really excited to put these easy steps to work when it gets closer to cutting our pumpkins up. You should try it too. Find the original tutorial and photos here.

Step 1: Cut a hole in the BOTTOM of your pumpkin,

scoop out all the guts and seeds as you would carving a pumpkin the old way.

Step 2: Mark out a design of where you want your lights on the outside of the pumpkin with a permanent marker.

Friday, October 5, 2012

So another health-minded friend of mine told me that Pumpkin is rich in Salicylic Acid which is so great for the zits and blemishes. A long time ago when I worked at Bath and Body Works I fell in love with a facial line called Pure Simplicity. It was created by the chemist from Estee Lauder, when she joined forces with BBW. The Pure Simplicity line has gone away and replaced with other things, which is the life story of BBW and drives many consumers crazy, I know. But one thing they did keep was the Pumpkin Mask that even Oprah flipped over. The True Blue Spa line at BBW picked it up and I'm SO grateful, because I trust the True Blue Spa brand as well. My face would glow after using this mask.

But the beautiful thing about Pumpkin as opposed to clay or mud masks is that it is available everywhere. So you can make your own mask!

About.com guide Anitra Brown featured a really great and simple pumpkin mask recipe that is worth trying, only three ingredients. There are other pumpkin mask recipes out there but they involve eggs and other crazy things. The less ingredients the better. I'm gonna try this one!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Oh hello there! It's the month of the pumpkin so get used to all things according to pumpkin over here at Bedhead and Brainfarts. Today I would love to share with you some information I found on the benefits of eating pumpkin. If this does not inspire you to incorporate some pumpkin into your life, I don't know what will.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Popular during fall holidays, the pumpkin is one of the most nutritious fruits available. Packed with disease-fighting nutrients, it offers numerous health benefits.

More than just a decorative Halloween candleholder or a pie filling to be eaten only once a year, pumpkin is one of the most nutritional foods available year round. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, both the flesh and seeds of the pumpkin provide many health-boosting nutrients.